Scottish Borders Archive

Scottish Borders Archive, based at the Heritage Hub in Hawick, is one of the region’s most important resources for historical records, local studies and family history research. 

Please note that the archive will be closed to the public for stocktaking during the weeks commencing 27 April and 4 May. During this time, the building will remain in use for scheduled events, including the Alchemy Film Festival (30 April – 3 May) and polling on 7 May. These events will operate as planned, but general public access to the archive will not be available. 

We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back once we reopen. 

Explore 800 Years of Scottish Borders History 

The archive brings together over 800 years of history from across the Scottish Borders with stories of people, places and industries that have shaped the region over time. 

From family history and genealogy to academic study and local heritage projects, the collections support a wide range of research. They capture both everyday life and major industries, including local government, education, textiles, farming, fishing, sport, religion and community organisations, offering a detailed and often personal insight into how life in the Borders has evolved. 

Archive Collections 

The archive’s collections are built from original documents and resources used for both research and personal enquiry. 

These include: 

• Minute books and official records
• Accounts, diaries and correspondence 
• Oral histories and personal papers 
• Maps, plans and photographs 
• Local newspapers
• Business and textile industry archives 

Together, they create a rich and varied picture of the past, making the archive a key destination for anyone exploring the history of the Scottish Borders. 

Special Collections 

Alongside its core records, the archive holds significant collections linked to well-known figures and industries from the region. 

These include material relating to Sir Walter Scott, James Hogg, Andrew Lang and Bill McLaren, alongside extensive textile industry archives from companies such as Peter Scott, Ballantyne, William Brown, Robert Noble and Reid & Taylor. 

The Internment Research Centre is also based at the archive, adding further depth to its collections. 

Further details can be explored through the online archive catalogue, Borders Collections Online. 

Family History and Genealogy Research 

For many visitors, the archive is where family histories start to come together. 

The collections support research into family roots, local communities, historical industries and specific events or organisations connected to the Scottish Borders. 

Access to official records is available through ScotlandsPeople, Scotland’s national genealogy service. While this can be costly elsewhere, visitors to the archive can use the full service for a fixed daily fee of £15, allowing unlimited searches throughout the day. 

This makes Scottish Borders Archive one of the most cost-effective places in Scotland to carry out detailed genealogy research. 

Archive staff are on hand to help you make the most of your visit; guiding you through the catalogue, suggesting useful sources and helping interpret records so you can move your research forward with confidence. 

ScotlandsPeople

The Heritage Hub is a ScotlandsPeople Centre, where for £15.00 a day you can have unlimited access to one of the world’s best online sources of original family history information.

You will also benefit from help and advice from our friendly, knowledgeable staff trained in genealogy and access to Scottish ancestry resources, including:

• Wills
• Statutory birth, marriage and death records
• Old Parish records
• Roman Catholic records
• Valuation Rolls
• Kirk Session records

For an additional fee you can obtain copies of some of these records for your personal use; we also offer Gift Vouchers for ScotlandsPeople.

Booking is essential. You will require a ScotlandsPeople account to access this service.

Remote Research Service

If you’re unable to visit us to carry out your own research, we offer a Remote Research Service for any topic relating to the heritage of the Scottish Borders covered by our resources.

For £75.00 per hour (including VAT) you’ll receive:

• a report on sources consulted and results found (both positive and negative);
• suggestions for further research

Please note, the fee is for time taken and does not guarantee that everything asked for can be found.

To request a search please fill in a Remote Research Request Form and return it to collections@liveborders1.org.uk.

Advance payment by debit or credit card in sterling is required in full for all requests by telephoning 01450 360699.

We also offer Remote Research gift vouchers, please enquire for more information.

The Internment Research Centre (IRC)

The Internment Research Centre (IRC) offers fascinating insights to anyone interested in past and present internment throughout the world.

The IRC hosts an amazing range of resources from the local to global, including insight to the home front experience, military history, minorities in wartime and family history You can find:

• Substantial collection of primary sources with a focus on the First World War.
• A UK Education Pack for P7 and older: Minorities on the Homefront ‘Enemy Alien’ internment in The British Empire 1914-1919.
• Translations of Stobsiade, the camp newspaper, produced by the internees and Prisoners of War.
• Translation of Karl Karle’s diary, an internee at Stobs Camp, Lancaster Camp, and Knockaloe Camp

If you wish to visit the IRC booking is essential.

We are continuously expanding our collections. If you have any original texts, items or information pertaining to internment please get in touch, and see if we can help bring them to life for the wider research community.

Based at the Scottish Borders Archive at The Heritage Hub in Hawick, IRC is a collaboration between Live Borders, Archaeology Scotland and Aston University, Birmingham. Established with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). 

Stobs Military Camp and Internment Records 

The archive also holds extensive material relating to Stobs Military Camp, a First World War internment camp near Hawick. 

Stobs was used to detain civilians and prisoners of war, including German nationals and others living in Britain at the time. Today, it represents an important part of both Scottish and international history, drawing interest from researchers and visitors around the world. 

Visit Scottish Borders Archive at The Heritage Hub, Hawick

The archive is open to visitors for in-person research by appointment. 

Location 
Scottish Borders Archive, Heritage Hub 
Kirkstile, Hawick, TD9 0AE 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Thursday, 09:30–16:30 

Appointments 
Booking is required. Visitors should provide a list of items from the online catalogue in advance to allow staff to prepare materials. 

Email: collections@liveborders1.org.uk 
Telephone: 01450 360699 

Planning Your Visit 

On your first visit, and annually thereafter, you will be asked to complete a User Registration Form and provide photographic identification. This can be completed in advance or on arrival. 

Accepted forms of identification include a passport, bus pass, membership card or similar official ID. 

To protect the documents and ensure a safe working environment, visitors are asked to follow archive handling guidelines, which are available in the search room and online. 

Accessibility 

Information to help plan your visit is available in the Accessibility Guide and Visual Guide for the Scottish Borders Archive.